Bills look to Williams to solidify line

Thursday

Aug 7, 2014 at 5:00 AM

Chris Williams is Buffalo's new starter at left guard

Dan Goldman

PITTSFORD — After Tuesday's practice concluded, Buffalo's offensive linemen continued to hone their skills on the field. Veterans Eric Wood, Erik Pears, Kraig Urbik and Chris Williams worked in a group together and head coach Doug Marrone stopped by to give them instruction for several minutes.

Having a coach get hands-on with the linemen is new to Williams, who joined the Bills after playing under Lovie Smith with the Bears and Jeff Fisher with the Rams — both defensive-minded coaches.

“It's different having a head coach who is a line coach,” Williams said. “It's awesome, but it's different. It's good to have somebody who's had so much success. Him and (offensive line) coach Pat Morris are two line coaches who can teach you different techniques. They've seen just about everything.”

The Baton Rouge, La. native played in 36 games at left guard and left tackle for Vanderbilt University. Chicago picked Williams 14th overall in the 2008 NFL Draft.

In his second season with the Bears, Williams started 11 games at right tackle and five games at left tackle. In 2010, he started two games at left tackle and moved to left guard for 11 starts. The next year, the 6-foot-6, 320-pound lineman started nine games at guard before going on injured reserve with a hand injury.

In 2012, Williams played three games with the Bears before being released. The former first-round pick said it was one of the most humbling experiences anybody can have. The Rams picked him up that same year, and he played in three more games. Last year, the veteran started all 16 games at left guard for St. Louis.

Buffalo signed the free agent to a four-year contract to play left guard. The Bills struggled at the position in 2013 — starting Colin Brown and Doug Legursky, who were both ineffective.

“I've been playing guard for four years now,” Williams said. “I'm pretty comfortable with it. Line play is pretty much the same everywhere.”

The lineman said the strongest part of his game is run blocking, but he's also a capable pass blocker. After signing in March, Williams was excited that Buffalo led the league in rushing attempts in 2013.

The Bills bring back the other four starters from last year — Cordy Glenn at left tackle, Wood at center, Urbik at right guard and Pears at right tackle. However, Glenn isn't practicing due to being on the non-football illness list.

Rookie Seantrel Henderson is manning the left tackle spot until Glenn is able to return, and Chris Hairston and Cyrus Kouandjio are battling for starting spots on the right side of the line.

“We've had healthy competition in some spots,” Wood said. “The young guys that have stepped in have done a good job. Plugging guys like Chris Williams in and some others that are as intelligent as they are makes it easy.”

While it's unclear what five players will line up in front of EJ Manuel against the Bears in Week 1, the 28-year-old said the unit is looking good so far.

“Everybody is working hard and that's all you can ask from an O-lineman,” Williams said. “Everybody is showing up and giving their best every day and it'll come. We're just trying to create good habits by working with coach Pat and coach Marrone.”

NOTES

— Marrone said he doesn't know if he wants to have a three-headed monster at running back this year. The coach said it will come down to two backs playing. C.J. Spiller and Fred Jackson are listed as the top two players on the team's depth chart followed by Anthony Dixon, Bryce Brown and Ronnie Wingo.

— After playing into the third quarter of Sunday's preseason game, Robert Woods excelled in practice. Marrone said he told the wide receiver, “that when he plays with that little chip on his shoulder, he's a darn good football player.”

— Leodis McKelvin didn't take part in team practice once again, but Marrone said they are resting him until doctors feel he's ready. The cornerback underwent hip surgery in the offseason. During Wednesday's practice, Marcell Dareus suffered a hamstring injury and Jonathan Meeks suffered a neck injury. Da'Norris Searcy missed practice due to a personal issue. Marrone was unsure if the safety would be back in time for Friday's preseason game in Carolina.

— This season, Manuel will be supporting Camp Kesem, a national organization that provides support to children affected by a parent's cancer. Through the Scoring For Good program, the quarterback pledged to donate $500 for every touchdown he scores this season. “I've obviously been a child of a mother who survived breast cancer,” Manuel said. “It's a tough process to go through, so I thought it was an awesome thing to be a part of and I'm very thankful to Camp Kesem to give me the opportunity to be a part of it.”